I've owned my Freelander for nearly 10 years now, she is a 57 plate and touch wood, has been excellent over the years.

We have recently considered getting a caravan, however I have a couple of questions:

1) I called for two bar fitting quote and they said the only option was a detachable one as it wouldn't trigger the sensors when I'm not towing. The cost was £420 which seems a bit steep to me. Do the fixed ones trigger the sensors when you are not towing?
2) I unfortunately passed my test after the 1997 cut off which means I'm limited to 3500kg for a combined weight. Looking at a few caravans the past weekend, we have seen some reasonable ones which are about 1300kg – do peoples FR2's cope well with towing this weight.
3) Does my 57 plate need the genuine electrics? I have seen some people saying that the car knows it towing when you get the genuine electrics installed and handles better?

Many thanks

Graham

1, our fixed (genuine LR) towbar doesn't affect the reversing sensors.

2, we tow a 1,450 kg caravan and you wouldn't know it's on the back. The weight limits for someone without a +E license (I find) are very complicated and there is much confusion about them, check carefully.

3, again, we have genuine electrics and the car does know then something is connected, the car feels quite different even when I have my empty rubbish trailer on the back but it's possible that some third party electric kits behave in the same way.

You will need the CCF editing to enable the electrics in any case.

I have a fixed Witter bar. No problem with reversing sensors. They are too high relative to the tow bar to "see" it. However, the sensors will "see" your caravan. Best way to avoid this is to have the dedicated electrics. The sensors are isolated when your trailer plug is connected.
I too tow a 1450kg 'van without a problem. I see you have a manual box. You will not get the same benefits as with the auto box in that it is the auto box that recognises the trailer and gets reconfigured. The manual box relies on you to reconfigure your own gearchanges! 🤔 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

I tow a 1560 kg coachman with no problems at all.
Also have a witter fied bar with dedicated electrics . Back in black !!

Not to put you off at all, but as you know the 'B' licence post 1997 does limit you to 3500kg. Unfortunately the GVW (MAM) of a FL2 is 2505kg (mine is and I don't think it has altered) leaving you with a trailer maximum of 995kg. It is the gross vehicle weight and not the 2000kg towing limit that is used for the calculation. There is the possibility open to you to downplate a vehicle if you can show that it is unlikely to ever be used at the GVW, this would allow a higher trailer weight. The law is silly on this because in certain circumstances you can have a small car towing a large weighty caravan.
I have a fixed flange Witter towbar changed under Witter warranty after the detachable started clunking, it has the dedicated CANbus loom and no, the towball is not picked up by the reversing sensors when not towing. As said the auto car gets more benefit from a CANbus loom but you would benefit from bulb failure warning along with the trailer indicator icon on the dash and reverse sensors inhibited but not much else.

Last edited by EYorkshire on 19th Apr 2017 3:22 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Hi
Bought my 07 SE on Thursday March 30th. Fitted a flange tow bar and electrics on the Saturday. Took about 3hrs all in. Ignoring the double, triple checking.
Opted for the genuine electrics following a lot of reading on this site. Haven't had the CCF editing as yet, as I have a manual. Towing a 1450kg Lunar with no problems.
Doesn't affect the sensors.

I have the my 13 HSE auto and a fixed tow bar.
The car recognises the van and sensors don’t bleep when reversing.

^^^^

Same as Drayman with my F2. Updated- Waiting for a Scotland v England 6 Nations home win. 24th Feb 2018
Gone-1972 88 SWB Soft top
Gone-1981 24v FFR Lightweight
Gone-2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS manual
Gone before it bankrupted me- 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto

As above, genuine LR fixed bar and dedicated electrics, engine and (auto) gear change points automatically changed when trailer electrics plugged in. I tow a 1650 mtplm twin axle Swift - effortlessly  Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)